The University of Florida Health Science Center - the most comprehensive academic health center in the Southeast - is dedicated to high-quality programs of education, research, patient care and public service.

The UF College of Dentistry is the only public-funded dental school in Florida and is recognized as one of the top U.S. dental schools for the quality of its educational programs, oral health research enterprise and commitment to patient care and service.

The College of Medicine, the largest of six colleges at the University of Florida Health Science Center, opened in 1956 with a mission to increase Florida's supply of highly qualified physicians, provide advanced health-care services to Florida residents and foster discovery in health research.

Founded in 1956, the University of Florida College of Nursing is the premier educational institution for nursing in the state of Florida and is ranked in the top 10 percent of all nursing graduate programs nationwide. The UF College of Nursing continually attracts and retains the highest caliber of nursing students and faculty with a passion for science and caring.

Established in 1923, the College of Pharmacy is the oldest college in the UF Health Science Center. Ranked among the top schools of pharmacy nationally, the college supports research, service and educational programs enhanced with online technologies.

The UF College of Veterinary Medicine is Florida's only veterinary college and provides many unique educational programs for students and services aimed at helping pets, wildlife and endangered species. We offer a a four-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine programs as well as M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Veterinary Medical Sciences.

Co-located with the Shands Jacksonville Hospital, the Jacksonville Health Science Center excels in education, research and patient care that expresses our abiding values of compassion, excellence, professionalism and innovation. Our state-of-the-art medical center serves an urban population of 1 million from north Florida to south Georgia.

The UFCOM-J offers accredited graduate medical education residency and fellowship programs, in addition to non-standard fellowship programs. Clinical rotations in all the major disciplines are provided for UFCOM undergraduate medical students and elective rotations to students from other accredited schools.

The UFHSC-J is a clinical teaching site for the Gainesville-based College of Nursing. Students rotate through the various clinical settings on the campus, and primary care centers and specialty care centers located throughout Jacksonville.

The UF College of Pharmacy-Jacksonville offers a four-year Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) Program completed entirely in Jacksonville. Also offered on campus is an American Society of Health-System Pharmacists-accredited pharmacy residency program at Shands Jacksonville.

University of Florida Health knows how important ongoing medical learning is to health care providers and the community. That is why we provide online Continuing Medical Education (CME) courses for you to complete for CME credits. These courses share the latest in medical knowledge, teach new patient-relationship skills and help providers deal with relevant current issues.

A heart full of philanthropy

For Emily Warren, birthdays mean more than just the passing of another year — they also mark the opportunity to appreciate each year by giving back to her community and to organizations that have had an impact on her life.

Every year since she turned 13, Warren has foregone personal presents and instead used her birthday as a way to collect gift cards or supplies for various groups.

Thus far, she has donated to organizations such as Wolfson Children’s Hospital, her local humane society, Camp Boggy Creek and Art With a Heart.

After all, this program is close to her heart — she was airlifted to UF Health at birth in 1994 and also received a heart transplant at the hospital three years ago.

“They make me feel safe,” Warren said of the physicians, nurses and staff members, whom she has known for years. “They’re like my family.”

To show her appreciation for the care she’s received and to pay it forward, Warren put together a gift bag with various gifts, including cards to gas stations, nearby restaurants and CVS, as well as a “get well” message for each recipient.

Emily’s mother, Catherine Warren, could not be more proud of her daughter — or more thankful for her second chance.

“Life is good with a healthy heart,” Catherine Warren said.

About the Author

Styliana Resvanis

Writer, online/social media coordinator - UF Health

Writer and online/social media coordinator for UF Health Advancement Communications. Before joining the UF Health staff in 2013, she worked at the UF Foundation communications office, where she wrote for...Read More